For most Americans our military personnel are highly respected but the dems are so desperate that they now stoop to a law suit to disenfranchise the military vote. There isn't much that one can do that is more anti-American than this kind of wretchedness. I can't help but think this kind of politics will cost the entire democratic party in this next election. Stupid is as stupid does.

My assumption is that "veterans" are different from "active duty" Military, and I haven't found a poll of candidate preference among active duty Military - other than knowing they have contributed heavily to Ron Paul.

For the most part, your assumption is wrong. For mot legal issues, you are considered a veteran once you complete either basic or AIT, not sure which. The only exception I know of is something like Veterans of Foreign Wars, or Veterans of Iraq, which would, obviously, require a deployment to certain areas. But the basic term 'veteran' includes all retired, active duty, guard, reserves, etc.

As to the 'heavy Ron Paul contributions', that's more of Paul not telling the full truth. From my experience, most everyone I knew at basic didn't care about politics, the few who did thought he was crazy. One guy was crazy for him. And out of the guys ion my current unit, I don't know anyone who really supports him.